At least 20 killed in Ivory Coast clashes

Forces loyal to the two men claiming Ivory Coast's presidency clashed in the streets of the commercial capital on Thursday, killing at least 20 people and bolstering fears that the world's top cocoa producer is on the verge of another civil war.

Ivory Coast has been operating with two presidents and two governments since a disputed Nov. 28 run-off electionPhoto: AFP/GETTY

11:59PM GMT 16 Dec 2010

Explosions and gunfire were heard throughout Abidjan – once known as the "Paris of Africa" for its cosmopolitan nightlife and chic boutiques.

An errant rocket-propelled grenade struck an outer perimeter wall of the U.S. Embassy, but no injuries were reported and the damage was minor, State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said in Washington.

Ivory Coast has been operating with two presidents and two governments since a disputed Nov. 28 run-off election. Alassane Ouattara was declared the winner by the country's electoral commission and was recognised by the U.N., U.S., France and the African Union as having beaten incumbent Laurent Gbagbo. The next day, however, the constitutional council overturned the results after invalidating a half-million votes from Ouattara strongholds.

Mr Crowley said a combined delegation from the African Union and the Economic Community Of West African States would be in Abidjan soon "to continue to encourage President Gbagbo to step aside."

The bloodshed in Abidjan is part of a risky push by Mr Ouattara to take control of state institutions after the balloting that many hoped would reunite the West African nation following a 2002-03 war that split it in two.